U.N. predicts rise, spread in violence

Posted: Friday, September 29, 2006

UNITED NATIONS - Al-Qaida's activity in Iraq may diminish as violence escalates and distinctions blur between sectarian attacks, criminal acts and the fight against Iraqi and non-Iraqi forces, according to a U.N. report.

In Afghanistan, the report said, Taliban rebels continue to benefit from a close relationship with al-Qaida and other foreign terrorist groups. As an example, it said, "new explosive devices are now used in Afghanistan within a month of their first appearing in Iraq."

The report by terrorism experts working for the U.N. Security Council committee monitoring sanctions against the Taliban and al-Qaida painted a grim picture of escalating violence and the spread of attacks.

"While the Taliban have not been found fighting outside Afghanistan/Pakistan, there have been reports of them training in both Iraq and Somalia," it said. Al-Qaida, however, is not only operating in Iraq but many attacks elsewhere have promoted al-Qaida objectives.